Prevailing agitation of Andhra Pradesh for distinct Telangana state, has badly affected Surat’s textile industry.
Textile industry, worth Rs 40,000crores is facing heavy loses up to Rs 5-7crores on daily basis. Moreover, transporters of the textile have suffered losses amounting to Rs 20crores.

Around 50 loaded trucks filled with textile parcels leave for Andhra Pradesh cities and also other areas of Southern India on daily basis from Surat. Due to the agitation prevailing in the city, not more than 10 trucks are heading to other cities from Surat since some time. Moreover, even the Andhra buyers are not approaching the city’s textile traders. Festival sale too has suffered huge losses this time.

According to the president of Federation of Surat Textile Trader Association, Krishan Banka, Around 10% of city’s business of synthetic fiber worth Rs. 110crores comes from the city Andhra. This is has been reduced by 50 % almost.

Textile industry is at loss of business amounting Rs 5crore on daily basis. Even the Pongal sale is down by 15-20% during the first 3 weeks of the month of December, he added.

President of Surat Weaver association, Ashok Jirawala said: Industry is going through crucial stages. Because of few marriages during the season, units had to be stopped for 2-3 days in a week’s time and now again the Andhra Pradesh situation has adversely affected the units production. Process for production has been reduced for cutting costs of staff payments etc.

Meanwhile, President, Surat Textile Transports Association explained: In Andhra Pradesh agitators have torched our vehicles. Alternative routes are being by us, but it is raising our costs. Members of our association have borne loss up to the amount of Rs 20crores.